The Michelle Obama Workout: Even Better Than Paul Ryan’s

Our First Lady Michelle Obama is seriously committed to a fit, healthy, lifestyle. Not only is her platform as First Lady devoted to helping American children move more and eat healthier, but she’s a fitness junkie herself, getting up at 4 or 5 A.M. to work out before her daughters are awake. That’s a full hour before fitness freak and new Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan is doing his fancy P90X, by the way. Michelle talked to iVillage (where she’s guest-editing for the week) about her exercise routine, why she doesn’t diet, and more. She said:

“Barack and I work out every day. I usually get to the gym before he does. But he is usually there either in the middle of my workout or right at the end. And we’re watching `SportsCenter’ and we’re catching up. That’s why I know so much about sports … and you start having an opinion about (New York Jets quarterback) Tim Tebow and Mark Sanchez.”

And what exactly does a Michelle Obama workout entail? Apparently, a smart mix of activities:

“I have a pretty well rounded routine that incorporates cardio, some weights — but nothing heavy, nothing dramatic — and plyometrics and things like that, which is a lot of body movement. You’re using your own body weight to get the exercise in.”

Michelle does have a trainer, but her exercise routine doesn’t sound super complicated or fancy, does it? She also does a little bit of weightlifting to tone up:

“It helps with that toning, those little areas that we don’t like that flap a little bit, that aren’t as tight. That’s where lifting comes in, once you’ve gotten your cardio in there.”

Michelle’s long been admired for her incredibly toned arms (her biceps rival Madonna’s, for sure), but I’m glad to hear that it takes work, serious work, for her to get them. Michelle is one of the busiest moms in the United States, but she still manages to prioritize exercise, while mothering her girls and being First Lady. One thing she doesn’t do? Diet.

“I try to keep my weight at a certain level. And I’ve found that as I get older…I don’t like to diet. I like food. I don’t like to have to worry and count every calorie…I just don’t like to live that way.”

Her biggest food temptation? French fries. She said, “…if there are french fries in the vicinity, I’m done. It’s over.” I hear you, Michelle. I hear you.

Michelle’s healthy, informed attitude towards fitness is great. I think she’s a terrific role model for American women and children: fitness is a priority for her, but it’s not a preoccupation. More awesomeness? She rocks out to Willow Smith’s “Whip My Hair” while she sweats. Yep, the First Lady is definitely my new fitness inspiration.